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From: lefty@TWG.COM (Lefty)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.eastern
Subject: "Superiority" of Nichiren Shoshu? (Was Re: Superiority of the Lotus Sutra)
Message-ID: <1990Dec12.022448.7112@nas.nasa.gov>
Date: 12 Dec 90 02:24:48 GMT
References: <1990Dec5.042527.7127@nas.nasa.gov>
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In article <1990Dec5.042527.7127@nas.nasa.gov> kde@heawk1.gsfc.nasa.gov ( 
Keith Evans) writes:
> Here are some quotes on the superiority of the Lotus Sutra.
> 
> {lengthy quotes from the Lotus Sutra ostensibly extolling the merits of
>  the Lotus Sutra thoughtfully deleted}
>

Keith apparently fails to realize the senselessness of using a piece of 
scripture to establish its own validity.  If this were a workable 
principle, then the fundamentalist Christians would be one-hundred percent 
right; we would all go to their Hell for not accepting Jesus as our 
personal savior.

I have been increasingly disturbed by Mr. Evans' insistence that his 
particular sect is the One True Buddhism.  His statements to that effect 
put him in a class with the fundamentalists; his very statements belie any 
undestanding or commitment to the spirit of Buddhism.

One of the cardinal Buddhist sins is sowing dissension within the Sangha.  
How do you reconcile your actions, Mr. Evans?

If you wish to believe that chanting "Nam Myoho Renge Kyo" is the essence 
of Buddhism, you are welcome to.  But to demean the beliefs of other 
Buddhists in the way that you have is reprehensible.  As one who is quite 
familiar with the Soto and Rinzai sects of Zen, I am personally offended 
by your constant railing against more mainstream forms of Buddhism.

You show a serious ignorance of both the history and range of the Buddhist 
thought, and if the views expressed in your postings are in any way 
indicative of the views of the majority of followers of Nichiren Shoshu, 
then I am sorry to see that a noble system of philosophy has fallen to 
such depths.

> How can you continue your slanderous ways?

How can _you_ continue to post this bilge, week after week?  Certainly you 
are not doing Nichiren Shoshu any good in this way.  Your arrogant, 
abusive, annoying and divisive tone speaks volumes, none of them positive.

You would quite possibly do well to spend less time chanting, less time 
posting and more time meditating.

> I have more if that is not enough.

Please, _please_, spare us.  Your posting the entire text of the Lotus 
Sutra, cross-referenced and annotated, is of no value here.  It's easily 
obtainable in bookstores and libraries for those who might have an 
interest.  Although that's becoming increasingly unlikely, give the 
tirades with which you've already graced us.

>    Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
>             Respectfully,
>                  Keith Evans            kde@heawk1.gsfc.nasa.gov

I can only assume that the word "respectfully" is used in your signature 
for some ironic effect; either that, or it is based on some definition of 
the word "respect" with which I am totally unfamiliar.

--
Lefty  (lefty@twg.com)              |          "And you may ask yourself,
D:.O:.D:., C:.M:.C:.                |             'How do I work this?'"